Medical Malpractice Caps

The Impact of Non-Economic Damage Caps on Physician Premiums, Claims Payout Levels, and Availability of Coverage

June 2003by Martin D. Weiss, Ph.D.Melissa GannonStephanie Eakins

Weiss Ratings, Inc.

In the last few years, soaring premiums on medical malpractice insurance (med mal) have emerged as a national crisis, invading the practice of medicine, threatening the availability of care, and prompting widespread public outcry.

Many doctors, particularly in high-risk specialties, have received renewal notices announcing premium increases of 100% or even 200% over the previous year. Others have simply been dropped by their insurance carriers, forcing them to shop for new med mal coverage, practice without any coverage at all, or stop practicing medicine altogether--all painful alternatives.